Congestion charge plans spark debate

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Mayor of London Ken backs plans
Critics say it will increase congestion
Have your say

Latest News

Transport for London's proposals to link the congestion charge to carbon dioxide emissions has come under attack for potentially increasing traffic.

The scheme, which will be put out for consultation from tomorrow, proposes to raise the congestion charge for vehicles that emit more than 225g/km of CO2 to £25 a day but waive the fee for vehicles that emit less than 120g/km of CO2.

Most other vehicles will continue to pay £8 a day.

However, concerns have been raised that the number of cars now available that emit less than 120g/km of CO2 means that traffic levels within the congestion charge zone will actually rise if the proposals go through.

Citroen, for instance, has 23 models in its range that would be exempt.

'The emissions of most private cars driven in central London fall below the highest proposed emissions-based congestion charge level, so it is questionable if the proposed plan will achieve its aim of further reducing central London traffic levels,' said Alec Murray, non-executive chairman of the Retail Motor Industry Federation.

Transport for London figures suggest that 8% of traffic currently entering the congestion charge zone emits more than 225g/km of CO2.

The RMIF has also highlighted the pollution caused by London's 22,000 black cabs and 8000 buses, which are exempt from the charge.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone countered: 'This summer's floods were a reminder of the urgency with which we need to reduce CO2 emissions. We are already cleaning up London's fleet of public vehicles through the introduction of hybrid buses. These new proposals will tackle emissions from private vehicles.'